Arsene Wenger: I am shocked by Francis Coquelin's transformation

And the Gunners boss hopes it will save him millions in the transfer market in his search for a defensive midfielder.

Coquelin's career was heading nowhere at Arsenal and his days looked numbered when he was loaned to Charlton in November.

The Frenchman, 23, was so fed-up with life at the Emirates that he was angry at being recalled five games later as injury-cover.

But he has not looked back after seizing his big chance to win a new deal and force himself firmly into his Wenger's long-term plans.

Arsenal boss Wenger said: "He was happy when I called him back. He played at Charlton and he thought I just called him back as cover.

NEW MAN: Coquelin has been superb in recent weeks [GETTY]

“What's happened is a surprise to everybody. The only thing I do is that I never say never to anybody. In my job you have to be open-minded like that”

Arsene Wenger

"What's happened is a surprise to everybody. The only thing I do is that I never say never to anybody. In my job you have to be open-minded like that.

"You have to make decisions at times. But never close the door completely for anybody."

With Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta crocked and Mathieu Flamini out of favour, Coquelin has gone from outcast to the main man at the base of the midfield.

Coquelin is so desperate to keep himself in Wenger's thoughts that he will wear a protective mask at QPR tonight.

The blood-stained Coquelin suffered a broken nose during Sunday's win over Everton but Wenger said: "Let's not forget, I think he has been world champion with the Under-21s. He is a player.

"But after you have to climb from a youth prospect to a regular player in a top team and that's not easy. He's doing it now.

"I think he analysed well what he is good at. Defending in midfield. He was in between a bit the playmaking position and a box-to-box player, he is not that, he's a sitting player who can win the ball.

"He restricted his game to that and you make success in life with what you're good at.

"You don't have all the qualities but you have to express what you're good at and he's good at that."

The race for Champions League qualification is going to go down to the wire and Wenger added: "We need 72 points.

"People have finished in the top four with 67 points, but if you look at this year, we have 51 points now. So it will be in the 70s. It is a tough run-in but it will be similar to last year."